That’s where the elite talent is lacking. Lockhart was supposed to be the guy (they invested a 3rd overall pick on him) but hasn’t developed. Now you add in a young defense/goalie tandem and it’s just that much harder. Of course the coaching issues really put them in the hole. Not just record wise but development wise. Their players were just not coached right for 2-3 years. We don’t know how to win close games…I'm so tired of losing. This is just disappointing to watch because we fall short every time.
Sure, 3/6 points on the road are fine, but we need to start winning some games to have a chance.
Hasn’t this just been the norm in Erie since 2017? They always have players injuried. Idk if that’s a size thing or a lack of physicality but they are always hurt. When they were winning games in the mid 2010s, I don’t remember many injuries, certainly not often they had 3/4 guys out at once. Erie has been hit with the long term injuries year after year (Fowler, Gilliard, Campbell) and on top of having 2/3 guys out per game. It’s rare they have 2-3 weeks straight of a full lineup. When you are already lacking elite talent, it doesn’t help when your depth is impacted by consistent injuriesSeems like Kulakov is indeed re-injured which sucks. He looked good in pre-season. Possibly Saganiuk and Sellan injured now too. Really bad injury luck thus far this season.
And I hate to be a downer, but we would be lucky to get a win on the road with Flint.That’s where the elite talent is lacking. Lockhart was supposed to be the guy (they invested a 3rd overall pick on him) but hasn’t developed. Now you add in a young defense/goalie tandem and it’s just that much harder. Of course the coaching issues really put them in the hole. Not just record wise but development wise. Their players were just not coached right for 2-3 years. We don’t know how to win close games…
it’s hard to break that type of habit. The more you lose, the harder it is. 4 straight years of this and it’s now the culture or identity of the team.
Not sure why they can’t beat flint and it’s embarrassing they haven’t at this point. Flint is 6-8-1 outside of Erie games. Erie is 6-9-1-1 outside of flint games. They are the same team. Due to dominating them in the preseason and having a bum coach, we weren’t prepared to play early in the year versus that team. Now the players are overthinking it and it’s in their heads, acting like Flint is a world beater. Not to mention their goalie standing on his head versus us (that’s the bigger demon to overcome). But imo flint is basically the same team as Erie just with a veteran goalie who has played very well against the OttersAnd I hate to be a downer, but we would be lucky to get a win on the road with Flint.
My guess is they don't have tomorrow off, so hopefully they are able to draw up a game plan. I think once we will a game or two in a row, hopefully the confidence builds. One positive is we don't quit, but that's also the frustration is that they aren't getting rewarded for their work.
Exactly this. I feel like we beat Flint in the preseason and then afterwards we can't get a win. We just need to find a way to make it happen. They're about equal in terms of skill and hopefully we can get a win against them. I hate already chalking up the L for them Wednesday, but something has to change because Saturday Saginaw comes to town and we have to be ready.Not sure why they can’t beat flint and it’s embarrassing they haven’t at this point. Flint is 6-8-1 outside of Erie games. Erie is 6-9-1-1 outside of flint games. They are the same team. Due to dominating them in the preseason and having a bum coach, we weren’t prepared to play early in the year versus that team. Now the players are overthinking it and it’s in their heads, acting like Flint is a word beater. Not to mention their goalie standing on his head versus us (that’s the bigger demon to overcome). But imo flint is basically the same team as Erie just with a veteran goalie who has played very well against the Otters
They have flint, Saginaw, Sarnia up next. If they were ever going to get on a streak, it has to be now. I don’t expect them to win all those games but it would be nice to be 2-0 going into the Sarnia game to give themselves a chance at it. They’ve had a tougher schedule of late with LDN x2, Guelph x3, SOO x2 and Hamilton (all in the last 11, since Hartsburg was fired) These next 3 games are much more winnableExactly this. I feel like we beat Flint in the preseason and then afterwards we can't get a win. We just need to find a way to make it happen. They're about equal in terms of skill and hopefully we can get a win against them. I hate already chalking up the L for them Wednesday, but something has to change because Saturday Saginaw comes to town and we have to be ready.
I'm so tired of losing. This is just disappointing to watch because we fall short every time.
Sure, 3/6 points on the road are fine, but we need to start winning some games to have a chance.
I’d say both have improved. I feel like BJ had his hands tied under Hartsburg and I wonder if he felt like he couldn’t stand up to make changes. I like seeing Kyrou QB the PP unit. D’Amato looks to be on the back end as well. They’re better at their passes and crashing the net more than they did with Hartsburg. PK wise I do like to see them trying to make a SH chance here and there and dumping it quicker.Curious...
Has the PP and PK improved or got worse in the 11 games since BJ took over?
One thing is for certain, the scoring is much more balanced, the kids are getting pretty even time on the ice, and they are playing for each other instead of for themselves. Those seem like huge wins since Hartsburg was let go. We could be running 2 lines the entire 3rd period still...
I’d say both have improved. I feel like BJ had his hands tied under Hartsburg and I wonder if he felt like he couldn’t stand up to make changes. I like seeing Kyrou QB the PP unit. D’Amato looks to be on the back end as well. They’re better at their passes and crashing the net more than they did with Hartsburg. PK wise I do like to see them trying to make a SH chance here and there and dumping it quicker.
While I understand they’re getting better each game, I just want them to get on a winning streak and build confidence. I like seeing 3rd/4th line players getting some recognition and time to grow. As much as I like Hoff as a player, it’s relieving to see him on the bench after a shift, something we didn’t see under Hartsburg.
I like LaLonde and he really stood on his head this road trip. Quite possibly one of the best goalies we have had in a while. I would like Nicholls to get another chance in net. He’s had a hard time in net, but as someone who maybe thought they wouldn’t get their chance in the OHL I hope he develops into a solid backup. He’s young and just needs time. Not going to lie, I often forget LaLonde is a rookie as well. Bummer to have Campbell out, but hopefully we see him again late in the season.
I’d say both have improved. I feel like BJ had his hands tied under Hartsburg and I wonder if he felt like he couldn’t stand up to make changes. I like seeing Kyrou QB the PP unit. D’Amato looks to be on the back end as well. They’re better at their passes and crashing the net more than they did with Hartsburg. PK wise I do like to see them trying to make a SH chance here and there and dumping it quicker.
While I understand they’re getting better each game, I just want them to get on a winning streak and build confidence. I like seeing 3rd/4th line players getting some recognition and time to grow. As much as I like Hoff as a player, it’s relieving to see him on the bench after a shift, something we didn’t see under Hartsburg.
I like LaLonde and he really stood on his head this road trip. Quite possibly one of the best goalies we have had in a while. I would like Nicholls to get another chance in net. He’s had a hard time in net, but as someone who maybe thought they wouldn’t get their chance in the OHL I hope he develops into a solid backup. He’s young and just needs time. Not going to lie, I often forget LaLonde is a rookie as well. Bummer to have Campbell out, but hopefully we see him again late in the season.
Here ya go @Mata11/11/21, where the Otters stood on the day of the coaching change. Want to document so we have a reference point on any potential progress or collapse.
Record: 3-7-1
Rank: 20th in OHL in both pts/winning percent
GF: 27 (ranked 20th in GPG)
GA: 38 (ranked 9th GAPG)
PP: 16.3% (ranked 15th)
PK: 83.7% (ranked 7th)
SHGA: 3 (tied for 2nd worst in league)
PIM: 10.1 per game (tied for 3rd least)
Here ya go @Mata
11 games of BJ (see above quote for the 11 games under Hartsburg to compare)
Record: 3-7-0-1 (same as Hartsburg)
Rank: 19th in OHL in points/winning %
GF: 38 (3.45 per game, compared to 2.45 before)
GA: 50 (4.54 per game, compared to 3.45 before)
PP: 18.3% (ranked 13th)
PK: 80.3% (ranked 6th)
SHGA: 3 (0 since BJ took over)
PIM: 8.8 per game (least in league)
So overall their offense, PP, and discipline has improved. They are giving up more goals but part of that is competition imo. Chris had a soft schedule with FLT/SAG x8 overall and NIA/WSR/SAR x1 each. Meanwhile, BJ has faced LDN x2, SOO x2, GUE x3, HAM x 1, and WSR/FLT x1 each. Much tougher schedule. I think if the Otters played the way they have under BJ all year long, imo they have 2/3 more wins on their schedule.
Good stuff here too. I didn’t have these numbers handy and helpful to see. I still think it points to competition though. LDN, Guelph, Hamilton, and SOO are all good to great teams this year.Shots per game for both us and opponents through the 11 games this season.
Hartsburg:
Otters SPG: 31
Opponents SPG: 29
BJ:
Otters SPG: 28
Opponent SPG: 35
Interesting we are getting less opportunities but score more. We also, unfortunately are giving up more shots leading to more scoring for the opposition. Will be interesting to compare the next 11 vs his first 11 (BJ).
Not enough high end talent? Not enough development of talent?If BJ doesnt change things around, then ppl will be saying its not the coaching.
So then what could it be??
My point for 2023-24 was related to 2021 and 2022 drafts/imports.In 23/24 Cohen(02) will be out of league as too old and Bressette (03) will be OA.
Also, they are doing well this year with points, but as you said earlier in your post, they are not players that can drive a team.
They have had some bad luck but also do other teams have bad luck. Maybe the imports dont want to come because they dont see a top quality team??
I think the bottom line is that they have to hit home runs with 1st round high picks and ensure they can drive the bus. And other subsequent picks should be solid role players.
Also, cant waste picks. 02 draft only has Cohen, Morton and Sedore, 6th, 7th and 8th rounders respectively. I know Drysdale has moved on, but what about picks 2-6. Alexander (3rd), Carogioello (3rd), Ritchie (5th), Baldassarra (6th) and Maunder (6th). Its bad enough that they are not here, but even worse, they are not doing anything where they are playing. So lost picks and wrong picks. JMO
I think the bottom line is that they have to hit home runs with 1st round high picks and ensure they can drive the bus. And other subsequent picks should be solid role players.
Also, cant waste picks. 02 draft only has Cohen, Morton and Sedore, 6th, 7th and 8th rounders respectively. I know Drysdale has moved on, but what about picks 2-6. Alexander (3rd), Carogioello (3rd), Ritchie (5th), Baldassarra (6th) and Maunder (6th). Its bad enough that they are not here, but even worse, they are not doing anything where they are playing. So lost picks and wrong picks. JMO